Despite high unemployment, companies say a lack of candidates with the right skills is forcing them to consider automating systems – replacing people with machines.

"[The skills shortage] could limit their ability to expand," said Lee Hopley, chief economist at EEF. "The alternative we have heard from companies is trying to automate where possible, but ... making the investment in that equipment and getting it delivered takes additional time."

Manufacturing has proved the success story of the UK's recovery, with global demand driving exports. Vacancies grew almost 60pc over the last year, the fastest rate on record, figures showed last month.

"It's often very difficult for employers to find people with the adequate skills," said Tom Lawton, head of manufacturing at accountants BDO. "The Government must do more to emphasise education in engineering and manufacturing to guarantee its future workforce has the appropriate skills."

The problem was flagged up by an otherwise mostly positive survey from EEF and BDO, which pointed to solid growth from manufacturing this year and the next. Last week's gloomy PMI survey was attributed to the "noise" around recent data given the spate of bank holidays and disruption from Japan's earthquake.